Tension-type headache is a primary headache syndrome that is disabling and common. Medical students are mostly exposed to its various triggers. It could have a huge impact on their lives and their school results. This was a cross-sectional study carried out on medical students at Joseph KI-ZERBO University during the period from January 27 to February 27, 2022. The International Headache Society (IHS) diagnostic criteria were used as the basis for the diagnosis of tension-type headache. Of 260 participants, 86 (33%) had a tension-type headache. Episodic TTH was diagnosed in 77 (89.53%) students. The majority of students with TTH were female (52%) with a sex ratio of 0.89.The most frequent triggering factors were lack of sleep (83.72%),intellectual exertion (59.30%), and stress (52.33%). The most releasing factor was sleep (93.02%). Seventy-nine students (91.86%) had never consulted a health professional, while 73.25% resorted to self-medication. Paracetamol was the most common treatment used by students. Tension-type headache had a negative impact on academic performance in 18.6% and on their quality of life in 30.23%. There was no sociodemographic characteristic associated with the occurrence of TTH. Tension-type headache is common among medical students in Burkina Faso. Particular attention should be given to the quality of life of medical students.

Tension-type headache Medical student Prevalence Impact Ouagadougou